The Punjab Health Department has officially issued a revised Free Nursing Education policy that abolishes the long-standing system of free tuition and monthly allowances. Under the new 2026 framework, students will now be responsible for their own educational costs, including tuition and accommodation.
Key Policy Changes: 2026 Session
| Feature | Previous Policy | New 2026 Policy |
| Tuition Fee | Free | Paid (Thousands per semester) |
| Monthly Stipend | Rs. 31,470 | Abolished (No Stipend) |
| Hostel Facility | Free | Paid (Standard charges apply) |
| Eligibility (FSc) | Minimum Marks vary | Minimum 50% Required |
| Domicile | Open / Preference | Punjab Domicile Mandatory |
Eligibility and Admission Criteria
To qualify for the 4-year BSN (Generic) degree program in 2026, candidates must meet the following strict requirements:
- Intermediate Level: At least 50% marks in FSc Pre-Medical (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology).
- Domicile: Only candidates with a Punjab Domicile are eligible to apply for government-run colleges.
- Gender Reservation: * Shahdara Teaching Hospital, Lahore: Exclusively reserved for Male students.
- Other Colleges: Generally reserved for female candidates, unless specified otherwise for specific quotas.
Seat Allocation and Shifts
The government has allocated a total of 6,100 seats across the province to accommodate both morning and evening shifts.
- Morning Shift: 3,100 seats across all government nursing colleges.
- Evening Shift: 3,000 seats allocated for evening batches.
- Institutional Quota:
- Teaching Hospitals: 100 seats for each shift (Morning and Evening).
- District Hospitals: 50 seats for each shift (Morning and Evening).
Important Admission Schedule (2026)
The University of Health Sciences (UHS) Lahore has been designated as the central admission authority for this session.
- Provisional Merit List: January 12, 2026
- Final Merit List: January 16, 2026
- First Selection List: January 19, 2026
- Commencement of Classes: March 2, 2026
Conclusion
This Free Nursing Education policy shift is intended to modernize the financial structure of medical education but has placed a significant burden on students from lower-income backgrounds who previously relied on the monthly stipend to support their families. While the number of seats has been maintained, the transition to a fee-paying model marks a major turning point for the nursing profession in Punjab.
This article is for informational purposes only. SmartFixers.pk is not an official government website and is not affiliated with any government department. Readers are advised to verify all information from official government sources before taking any action.
Our editorial team publishes original and informational content for educational purposes only.
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